We have two sons ourselves, and as for the matter of why the
mother asked, it doesn't surprise me at all. I can see my
two sons wondering, but knowing better than to ask -- but
my wife ("I am the mother of all things, and all things should
wear a sweater") has less compunction. Actually, to give her
credit, she would not ask over their objections, but a mother's
compunctions are often much less, and her determinations often
much more, than those of her offspring when it comes to asking
for help, favors, etc. So it would not surprise me at all to
see a slightly more determined mother taking the initiative
in a situation such as this.